11th February 2025 | Lifestyle

ED'S IN THE SHED

Nestled in the picturesque Brecon Beacons, near Clydach within the Swansea Valley, Ed’s Shed! is a workshop where musical artistry and skilled craftsmanship come together.

We have an innate understanding of music, instantly bobbing our heads or tapping our feet when we hear a beat. However, Wales’ passion runs deeper than most. It proudly celebrates a rich tradition of crafting the instruments that first got us moving, along with those who’ve mastered modern equivalents.

At the forefront of the medieval music scene, Welsh musicians crafted revolutionary new instruments and contributed to music’s evolution by creating the Telyn Deires or Welsh Triple Harp. Its three rows of strings allowed for chromatic notes without needing pedals and gave the triple harp a uniquely rich and resonant sound, rapidly making it an integral part of Welsh folk music.

Other instruments and experimentation soon followed, with the Crwth and Pidgorn, a six-stringed bow and wooden or bone horn, becoming prominent backing features in traditional barbic storytelling and poetic recitals. Though they’re still used in traditional performances and enactments, the Crwth and Pidgorn’s earthy and reedy sounds were quickly replaced as instrumental innovation expanded the options available to musicians.

In the 1960s & 70s, Swansea embraced rock and roll, rapidly becoming a hub for the genre, supported by iconic venues such as the Top Rank and Brangwyn Hall. Pioneering bands like Badfinger helped to develop a raucous scene and became breakout stars after they signed to The Beatles’ label Apple Records and released Come and Get It, topping out at four on the UK charts. Later, the group released the iconic Without You, which went on to be covered more than 180 times and became a smash commercial hit for Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey, respectively.

Swansea’s scene was exceptionally innovative at the time, and has taken inspiration from artists such as Ray Charles, The Spencer Davis Band blended bluesy and soul influences into their songwriting. Swansea-born Davis’ guitar was the ideal accompaniment to Steve Winwood’s distinctive vocal prowess, and together, the group recorded Keep on Running and Gimmie Some Lovin’, cementing their status as worthy contemporaries to the era-defining Rolling Stones.

Alongside staple venues of the Swansea music scene, in 1976, the Vetch Field hosted The Who’s Put the Boot In tour, one of four UK stadiums selected, highlighting how South Wales’ second city had an insatiable appetite for the rock music revolution. The same year, Merthyr Tydfil band, Man, would go on hiatus, having released four top 50 albums in the UK, cementing their status as Welsh rock royalty. During Man’s break, Mumbles-born drummer Terry Williams accepted an invitation to join Dire Straits and enjoyed international success, selling over 100 million records worldwide, alongside extensive global tours.

More recently, Swansea’s live music legacy has continued flourishing because of hubs like The Bunkhouse. The venue plays a vital role in giving local musicians live performance opportunities and promoting young talent as they usher in the next era of artists. Meanwhile, indie band Trampoline and their frontman Jack Jones, lauded for his lyricism and distinct delivery, showcase how Swansea artists’ passion and perspective remain highly valued by fans and the industry alike.

While Wales continues to receive global acclaim for its vocalists and performers, the spirit of musical craftsmanship has continued through the likes of Swansea-based Ed in the Shed and the Gower Guitar Company. More than ever, local artists are contributing to the continuation of the city’s musical lineage and helping to shape its future after a storied past.

Setting up, servicing, modifying and repairing electric and acoustic guitars, basses and most other stringed instruments. Ed in the Shed is known for his commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring that each instrument receives the care it needs to perform at its best.